He's not as big as our current forwards but he packs a punch. Has some good creativity too.

I'd say he's a cross between Taumalolo and Tyrone Peachey

Click to expand...

I dunno, a cross between those 2 players would be pretty much the best forward in the NRL lol. :p
Of course I wouldn't be against it if he actually did end up being a cross between those two (and kept out of trouble as well).

Broncos veteran Matt Gillett has not given up hope of a return to the second-row despite Brisbane coach Anthony Seibold insisting he has no immediate plan to abort his lock experiment with the Origin star.

Gillett admits he felt like a “headless chook” during his first appearance at lock in almost five years in Brisbane’s season-opening 22-12 loss to Melbourne at AAMI Park on Thursday night.

Playing his first NRL game in 11 months following a fractured neck and shoulder surgery, Gillett was gasping for air after 15 minutes under attack from Melbourne midfield giants Jesse Bromwich and Nelson Asofa-Solomona.

Prior to his neck ordeal, Gillett had carved out a reputation as the NRL’s finest right-edge back-rower.

The 30-year-old still craves a return to the No.12 jumper, but accepts he may have to make a short-term positional sacrifice for the betterment of a youthful Broncos forward pack.

“The way the team is at the moment, it might be a bit of time before I go back out to the edge,” Gillett said.

“Payne (Haas, prop) is out for a few weeks and Tevita (Pangai Jr) has missed a bit of the pre-season with his hamstrings, so we need a bit of experience in the middle at the moment with the young group we’ve got.

“For the time being, I’m happy to do my role in the middle. We need 17 guys doing the job so whatever role I get, I will do my best for the team.”

The numerical shift from No.12 to No.13 may seem subtle, but on the park, it was a shock for Gillett.

Stationed smack bang in the heart of the high-octane ruck attrition battle, the Maroons ace felt rushed and unable to be as selective as he is on the fringes.

It was a tribute to Gillett’s toughness and competitive instincts that he finished the Storm showdown with a game-high 50 tackles.

“It felt like I made that many tackles,” he said with a laugh. “It’s something I’m not used to ... I felt like I was in a washing-machine cycle.

“I was gone after about 15 minutes, but I just had to hang in there and get the job done.

“I was running around like a chook with my head chopped off.

“I didn’t think there would be too much difference but it definitely is – you have to be on the ball the whole time and filling in spaces in defence.

“On the edge you get to watch the game unfold, but in the middle you are constantly going. I have to get used to that.”

With Haas not due to return from suspension until round five, Seibold said is keen to retain Gillett in the midfield.

“For the foreseeable future, I see ‘Gillo’ getting better and better in the middle,” he said.

“It was a pretty fair stint. It was his first game back since round five last year.

“He had a pretty good shift against the Storm forwards ... he worked his backside off.”

Watching the game last night I actually thought "I can see why bird at lock might work". His upper body strength is hodges-like at times, he throws of the first tackler every run, it's takes a couple to get him down, he has quick feet just before the line, can make 100+ metres, and he can hit hard in tackles. Keep in mind as well that nearly every run he had was him cutting inside running at storms middle 3rd players..

Would it work, not sure. But it could work, and last nights performance made me a little more open to the idea actually

BroncosHQ.com

BroncosHQ.com is a fan forum made and maintained by Brisbane Broncos fans; and has no official affiliation with the Brisbane Broncos Rugby League Football Club beyond the advertising displayed on the website.

Established 2001.

All opinions expressed are that of the member posting them, and not BroncosHQ. Posts may not be re-produced without author consent.